[AUTHOR NOTE: Thanks to Jandro123 for giving me tip on Gumroad.]
The subsequent matches proceeded without incident.
Hyūga Tetsu, the Byakugan user, effortlessly dismantled his opponent.
It was a reminder of why Hiashi Hyūga could proclaim, "The Hyūga are the strongest in Konoha," with a straight face.
While their ceiling might be lower than the Uchiha's Mangekyō hacks, their floor is incredibly high.
To awaken the Sharingan requires trauma—death of a loved one, extreme grief. It's a gamble.
The Byakugan? Ninety-nine percent of Hyūga awaken it with simple training. It is consistent, reliable, and deadly.
'Though its evolutionary path is vague,' Kiyohara critiqued internally.
The Sharingan has stages: One, Two, Three Tomoe, Mangekyō, Eternal Mangekyō, Rinnegan.
The Byakugan? It sits stagnant until it suddenly jumps to Tenseigan (Reincarnation Eye) and starts slicing the moon in half. There is no middle ground.
The Chief Examiner gathered the victors in the center of the arena.
He gave the customary "Will of Fire" speech—sacrifice, protection, the King is the unborn child, etc.
Kiyohara listened politely, his expression stoic.
'Promotion just means I'm a higher-grade cog,' he thought cynically. 'Unless I enter the Core Management Layer (like the Hokage's office or Root), even a Jonin is just an elite worker bee.'
"Kiyohara."
Kiyohara stepped forward.
The Examiner handed him a folded green vest and a new headband with longer straps.
Next came the document.
Chunin Certificate.
The ink was still warm. The efficiency was impressive; the village clearly pre-printed these, leaving the name blank.
Kiyohara bowed. He was officially a Chunin.
As he touched the certificate, Kiyohara looked inward.
The spiritual body of the Missing-nin began to glow.
It wasn't a blinding flash, but a soft, warm luminescence, like winter sunlight.
The ghost's face, usually cynical and weary, smoothed out. A faint, genuine smile appeared.
'A dying wish is truly an obsession,' Kiyohara realized. 'He wasn't just a cheat code; he was an Earthbound Spirit. And now, he's found peace.'
"The wish is fulfilled," the spirit whispered, his voice echoing like wind chimes. "Take care of yourself... or rather, take care of us."
He dissolved.
The light shattered into motes of dust and drifted into Kiyohara's soul.
It felt natural. Like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea. Like a tired bird returning to the nest. There was no rejection.
System Integration Complete.
Kiyohara stood rooted to the spot, analyzing the changes.
1. Spiritual Energy Boost:
His mind felt like a murky pool that had suddenly been filtered. His thoughts were faster, sharper. He could hear the whispers in the stands, feel the air currents, sense the Examiner's chakra signature without trying.
2. Chakra Reserves:
Spiritual Energy + Physical Energy = Chakra.
With his spirit boosted, his chakra capacity jumped significantly. He wasn't a Tailed Beast yet, but he was no longer running on fumes after three jutsu.
3. Talent Upgrade:
This was the big one.
His understanding of Lightning and Wind Release deepened instantly. Concepts that were vague became clear. It was like downloading years of study directly into his brain.
4. Memory Fragments:
Flashes of a life not lived.
Cold test tubes in Orochimaru's lab.
Being hunted by ANBU in the rain.
The bitterness of betrayal.
These memories scattered like puzzle pieces, fading into the background.
Kiyohara breathed a sigh of relief.
'Good. I remain dominant.'
If he absorbed all the memories, he would suffer from identity dissociation. A teenager can't handle forty years of PTSD without cracking. The system filtered it, leaving only the skills and instincts.
'It's like a Roguelike game,' Kiyohara mused. 'Every run adds stats to the base character.'
He opened his eyes. The world looked sharper.
The second dying wish was fulfilled.
He was a Chunin. He was stronger.
'Now,' Kiyohara thought, a thrill of anticipation running through him. 'Who is next? Which version of me will send the next letter?'
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